The One Year Bible Club with Teaching
Commentary by Nick Boork
June 8
Acts 6:1-15
Commentary by Nick Boork
June 8
Acts 6:1-15
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June 8 Acts 6:1-15
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. 13 They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” 15 And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.
OKAY, HERE’S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
Here in Acts chapter 6 the church is challenged to make sure that the Greek windows are cared for properly because they were being neglected and not receiving food. How did this happen? Remember that thousands of Jewish believers assembled in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost and 3000 came to faith in Christ, were baptized and grew into a new Christian community many of these were from ethnic backgrounds other than Hebrews. By Acts chapter five about 5000 more men were converted to faith in Jesus Christ through the miracles of healing and the preaching of the apostle Peter. So the early church was quickly growing and was a multicultural church with people from several nations that were proselytes or converts to Judaism that now had become believers in Jesus Christ the Messiah. This is how the Greek windows were overlooked in the daily distribution of food just because the church was growing so fast that the apostles could not keep up with everything that was happening.
What did the apostles do?
Instead of trying to do it all they asked the church to present before them seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom to take care of this ministry. They realized that Christ had called them to lead his church and their top priorities were to be prayer and the word of God. Acts 6:4 in a couple other Bibles:
The Message – Meanwhile, we’ll stick to our assigned tasks of prayer and speaking God’s Word.”
Contemporary English Version – We can spend our time praying and serving God by preaching.”
I have this verse of Scripture in my office mounted and framed to remind me of these two top priorities. Notice the priority of prayer first in the ministry or preaching of the word of God second. I cannot emphasize how important this is for those that are called to preach the word of God and have responsibilities of teaching in the church. Prayer is first because this is where the preacher gets his anointing and hear’s fresh Messages from God that are born out of intimacy with God in prayer. Through prayer the Holy Spirit speaks to us messages and brings to us revelation knowledge and leads us in the preparation to preach. Getting involved with this feeding ministry to the poor would be a distraction to the apostles but at the same time it was a very real need.
There is a saying that goes like this: “Pain is the mother of invention.” Whenever people cry out in the life of the church it’s a good idea to listen. The Lord will give leadership the creative solutions to meet the needs of his people if it is in the parameter of something that the church should be doing. Of course, taking care of widows that don’t have anybody else to take care of them is a very legitimate ministry. Many times pastors get distracted by the needs of people coming to them with all kinds of urgent needs. Following the wisdom of the apostles, pastors need to do develop others into ministry to meet those needs. Many Bible scholars believe the ministry of the deacon was first initiated here in Acts chapter six to meet this pressing need of the widows and from here grew into all kinds of other ministries as well.
What were the results of the apostles instructions?
The church got together and brainstormed about which men would be qualified and best suited for this new ministry. Per the apostles request, they asked that the church select seven men for this ministry and recommend them to the apostles. This the church did and the apostles installed them into ministry to oversee this outreach. They laid their hands on them and prayed for them. Why did they do this? Because the laying on of hands is a Biblical part of developing leadership for the people of God. It’s senior leadership acknowledging the call of God on new leadership. When they laid their hands on this group of seven men they were consecrated for this ministry and also it gave the Holy Spirit opportunity to impart to these men any special graces and gifts through prayer.
The results of raising up this new ministry were instant and dramatic!
PRAYER:
Father when we are faced with needs in your church today we ask that you would help us to follow the example that we have in the book of Acts and develop new ministry to meet legitimate needs. Show us who you have for what ministry and give us a boldness and confidence by faith to lay our hands on those that you have called to serve in your church. We ask that you multiply every local church and fill believers with the Holy Spirit to evangelize and reach their cities for the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. 13 They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” 15 And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.
OKAY, HERE’S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
Here in Acts chapter 6 the church is challenged to make sure that the Greek windows are cared for properly because they were being neglected and not receiving food. How did this happen? Remember that thousands of Jewish believers assembled in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost and 3000 came to faith in Christ, were baptized and grew into a new Christian community many of these were from ethnic backgrounds other than Hebrews. By Acts chapter five about 5000 more men were converted to faith in Jesus Christ through the miracles of healing and the preaching of the apostle Peter. So the early church was quickly growing and was a multicultural church with people from several nations that were proselytes or converts to Judaism that now had become believers in Jesus Christ the Messiah. This is how the Greek windows were overlooked in the daily distribution of food just because the church was growing so fast that the apostles could not keep up with everything that was happening.
What did the apostles do?
Instead of trying to do it all they asked the church to present before them seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom to take care of this ministry. They realized that Christ had called them to lead his church and their top priorities were to be prayer and the word of God. Acts 6:4 in a couple other Bibles:
The Message – Meanwhile, we’ll stick to our assigned tasks of prayer and speaking God’s Word.”
Contemporary English Version – We can spend our time praying and serving God by preaching.”
I have this verse of Scripture in my office mounted and framed to remind me of these two top priorities. Notice the priority of prayer first in the ministry or preaching of the word of God second. I cannot emphasize how important this is for those that are called to preach the word of God and have responsibilities of teaching in the church. Prayer is first because this is where the preacher gets his anointing and hear’s fresh Messages from God that are born out of intimacy with God in prayer. Through prayer the Holy Spirit speaks to us messages and brings to us revelation knowledge and leads us in the preparation to preach. Getting involved with this feeding ministry to the poor would be a distraction to the apostles but at the same time it was a very real need.
There is a saying that goes like this: “Pain is the mother of invention.” Whenever people cry out in the life of the church it’s a good idea to listen. The Lord will give leadership the creative solutions to meet the needs of his people if it is in the parameter of something that the church should be doing. Of course, taking care of widows that don’t have anybody else to take care of them is a very legitimate ministry. Many times pastors get distracted by the needs of people coming to them with all kinds of urgent needs. Following the wisdom of the apostles, pastors need to do develop others into ministry to meet those needs. Many Bible scholars believe the ministry of the deacon was first initiated here in Acts chapter six to meet this pressing need of the widows and from here grew into all kinds of other ministries as well.
What were the results of the apostles instructions?
The church got together and brainstormed about which men would be qualified and best suited for this new ministry. Per the apostles request, they asked that the church select seven men for this ministry and recommend them to the apostles. This the church did and the apostles installed them into ministry to oversee this outreach. They laid their hands on them and prayed for them. Why did they do this? Because the laying on of hands is a Biblical part of developing leadership for the people of God. It’s senior leadership acknowledging the call of God on new leadership. When they laid their hands on this group of seven men they were consecrated for this ministry and also it gave the Holy Spirit opportunity to impart to these men any special graces and gifts through prayer.
The results of raising up this new ministry were instant and dramatic!
- The widows were no longer neglected and received the food that they needed daily.
- The apostles were not distracted from prayer and the word of God.
- This group of seven men grew into new ministry and they not only passed out food but God began to anoint them in powerful ways to preach with signs, wonders and miracles.
- The Bible says that the church multiplied greatly as a result of the birth of this new ministry.
PRAYER:
Father when we are faced with needs in your church today we ask that you would help us to follow the example that we have in the book of Acts and develop new ministry to meet legitimate needs. Show us who you have for what ministry and give us a boldness and confidence by faith to lay our hands on those that you have called to serve in your church. We ask that you multiply every local church and fill believers with the Holy Spirit to evangelize and reach their cities for the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
ORDINATION
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll